Path Not Taken 78

Nara Shikamaru

What a drag... nothing about this mission makes any sense.

Nara Shikamaru

(Naruto saving Gaara, protecting Hinata... these aren't the actions of someone who's gone rogue.)

Temari

You look like you need this. Been sitting here for hours.

Temari

Still trying to figure out how Naruto fits into all this?

Nara Shikamaru

Why would a rogue ninja risk everything to save the Kazekage? And that Tayuya situation...

Nara Shikamaru

Weren't you the one who defeated her? How is she suddenly alive and working for Azula?

Temari

I crushed her with my summoning. There's no way she survived that.

Temari

Someone powerful must be pulling strings behind the scenes... someone who can even resurrect the dead.

Nara Shikamaru

Kakashi fighting a fake Itachi, Naruto protecting allies, Tayuya's resurrection, Azula's involvement...

Nara Shikamaru

(The pieces don't fit... unless we're looking at the wrong puzzle.)

Temari

I know that look. You're onto something, aren't you?

Nara Shikamaru

What if Naruto was never rogue to begin with? What if this whole thing is...

Nara Shikamaru

Temari, I need to speak with Tsunade-sama immediately. I think we've all been played.